Molecularly targeted treatment of recurrent anaplastic astrocytoma – a case report

• Main Authors: Ashna Yalamanchi, Jaya Mini Gill, Judy Truong, Minhdan Nguyen, Jose Carrillo, Naveed Wagle, Akanksha Sharma, Santosh Kesari
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2021-09-01
• Series: Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1002/acn3.51430

Abstract High‐grade astrocytomas are malignant and aggressive, with limited treatment options. Treatment is geared not only toward increasing patient’s overall survival but also in delaying or preventing neurological disability, a cause of significant morbidity. Increasingly, targeted and customized treatment approaches, especially for recurrent disease, are being explored. Here we present a successful outcome in a young patient with rapidly progressive disease who responded to targeted treatment based on genetic sequencing and circulating tumor DNA markers, given the inaccessibility of the tissue to biopsy. Molecular testing on tissue, serum or CSF may be helpful in identifying unique targets in these complex patients.